A youth group, Itu/Ibiono Ibom Youth Alliance (IYA) has called on Governor Udom Emmanuel and the state caucus of the PDP to be wary of the division the State chairman of the party, Obong Paul Ekpo, was about to cause in the Party through unguarded utterances and actions.
The group while reacting to what it called arbitrary and selfish endorsement of Obong Bassey Albert Akpan for a second term by Obong Paul Ekpo, said the “PDP in Akwa Ibom State was walking down another dangerous path that could lead to a more fatal fall in 2019”.
The group in a press conference on Monday, called on Governor Udom Emmanuel and other respectable members of the party to advise Obong Paul Ekpo from divisive endorsement that would provoke members from leaving the party.
In a statement titled “Before another fall”, and signed by John Willie Asanga, National President, and Ibanga Sunday Esara, National Secretary, the group said it was disappointed that Obong Paul Ekpo, has clearly shown biased for and against some members of the party in a bid to promote his inordinate ambition.
The group said it will withdraw her support from Governor Udom Emmanuel’s second term and the PDP if the decision of the caucus of the party of January 20 on zoning is not adhered to.
The State caucus of the PDP during a meeting held on January 20, 2018 at Government House Uyo resolved that:
“The caucus reaffirmed the Party’s belief and need to strictly enforce the zoning/rotation principle of the Party on all elective positions and direct all the organs and leadership of the Party to implement it fully in all constituencies”.
IYA noted that the actions of the State Chairman of the PDP was aimed at clearly frustrating the little achievements made in rebuilding the party after the fatal defeat of 2015.
Further to the caucus’ decision, the Governor Mr. Udom Emmanuel had assured members of the party he will abide strictly by zoning.
“We will follow zoning to the latter. If you know zoning does not favour you, please don’t bother spending money, don’t later tell me that you sold your house and other properties to contest election. I am saying it now very loud and clear, so that you don’t say you did not hear”, Udom said.
Culled From The Ink Newspaper
